Rock Sliders and Side Step

[The Great Grape Ape]

@wired.... Ace Sliders use body mount bolts (2 on each side)

3 on the Unlimited.

Note: Do not take out all 4 body mount bolts and then do the slider install. Do one side of the vehicle at a time. Helps to have a second set of hands to hold up slider during install. Tighten up body bolts properly!!!

Yep, good advice, definitely do one side at a time. (axle stands/jacks are even handier, but put a towel on them to keep from scratching).

If doing solo you can use your knee to help prop up the rail during install when facing them, but I found the foam works best, allowing you to maneuver.
Also, loosely install bolts then tighten back and forth to ensure one side isn’t cranked while the other loose.

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[FatBoy01]

YES, 3 body mount bolts on JLU and 2 on JL. You can tell the 3 installs I have done, have been on 2 dr. models.

IMPORTANT: 80 ft/lbs is what the JLU body mount bolts need to be torqued to. It is really important to be sure they are tightened up properly. If you do not have a torque wrench, tighten up real tight and then have a local shop, friend with torque wrench check torque on them.

Note: When you go to put the body bolt in, it may just spin and spin and seem to not want to tighten...
If this happens, try really pressing hard upward on it as it's retainer washer will try to stop it from getting into the threads, Sometimes you just really need to exert alot of upward pressure onthe bolt until it engages the threads.

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[The Great Grape Ape]

YES, 3 body mount bolts on JLU and 2 on JL. You can tell the 3 installs I have done, have been on 2 dr. models.

LOL, I keep forgetting little things (like the use of axle stands which were very handy on the JKU but not everyone has them) and I’ve done over half a dozen of them on JKs and JKUs, but that was over a year ago... so...

 

[JLUSoCal]

Video on JK install if that helps.

 

[wired]

So yes, I do have the correct ones, but had some bad info from a friend as to mounting them. After starting to loosen one bolt, of course it starts raining. So tomorrow will take to friends garage and use his impact wrench. If you plan on mounting these yourself with a hand ratchet then you will get a good workout. I had a large one with pipe extension and it took some force. Btw, major kudos to the folks at @ACE Engineering. I sent them an email (on Sunday afternoon) when I couldn’t figure out the mount. I got a phone call from them 30 minutes later. Great guys there.

 

[FatBoy01]

@wired ... Just go easy with the Ace's. They are well made and the powder coating is very good BUT you can, pretty easily scratch/scuff them up / ding them up.

Just remember you want 80# torque on those body bolts.

As for impact gun, I have done 3 of these installs without. Impact gun would be great for bolt removal for sure. Can tell you that it is best to use a regular wrench (not impact gun) and get the bolts grabbing in the threads and bolt not spinning BEFORE you use impact wrench. Read my last post where I explain the spinning issue you can and probably will have with one or more of the body bolts.

Do one side of vehicle and then the other side.

 

[wired]

Thanks @FatBoy01 . Another reason not to attempt at home with no torque wrench. You are clearly more "Hulk" than I am if you did 3 of these with hand tools. Appreciate everyone's advice. I have seen similar rails with some kind of black friction tape (almost like a sand paper). Not so sure that would hold up well, though.

 

[FatBoy01]

snipe:

Thanks @FatBoy01 . I have seen similar rails with some kind of black friction tape (almost like a sand paper). Not so sure that would hold up well, though.

I mentioned somewhere on the forum that I have found that "Rust-Oleum Black Bedliner Spray (About $8.00 per can) works really well on Ace Sliders.

After the Ace sliders get scratched, scuffed up up to a point you want to make them look better, spray them with multiple light coats of the Rust-Oleum. Again, multiple light coats, one after the other with a few minutes in between coats or you will get runs. NOW, in the coming days, weeks, months when you get a scuff, light scratch, etc on the sliders,.. all you do is take a lint free rag (no brush marks) with some of the Rust-Oleum sprayed on it and just wipe lightly over the blemish. Hides the blemish easily and quickly and blends in nicely, without having to respray the whole slider.

 

[Tintop]

One thing to note from my install. The front mounting point was contacting the frame. This was causing an loud creaking sound when driving. Since I didn't want to take them off and grind them down, I just loosened them and slipped a small piece of a cut tire rubber. It's silent now. They are really nice rails, but I'm disappointed they dont fit exactly. Taking off the body mount bolts is a PITA. I'll echo others to be careful and don't torque over 80. If you break one of these it's going to be a major hassle to correct. Also they really should slip In a piece of paper instruction - wouldn't really cost them anything. It was pretty obvious what I needed to do but would have liked the assurance of an instruction. I just googled it and found some YouTube videos.

 

[Jabs]

One thing to note from my install. The front mounting point was contacting the frame. This was causing an loud creaking sound when driving. Since I didn't want to take them off and grind them down, I just loosened them and slipped a small piece of a cut tire rubber. It's silent now. They are really nice rails, but I'm disappointing they dont fit exactly. Taking off the body mount bolts is a PITA. I'll echo others to be careful and don't torque over 80. If you break one of these it's going to be a major hassle to correct. Also they really should slip I'm a piece of paper for instruction - wouldn't really cost them anything. It was pretty obvious what I needed to do but would have like the assurance of an instruction. I just googled it and found some YouTube videos.

Post some pics please

 

[ResponsibleAdult]

The only thing on all rock sliders is if you have dogs theycan getthere legs stuck in the space between the inner and outer tube I suggest you weld or have a plate put on over the sapce.

So you’re telling me that my lazy Newfs will finally have an excuse for insisting I lift their 100+lbs into the Jeep?

 

[TampaJL]

My ACE rock sliders, cargo basket, and tire carrier relocators are supposed to ship this week.

 

[wired]

So I couldn't get access to tools, so I dropped it off at the Jeep dealership to install for me. ($40). They called and said they would have to take the body off because the bolts would not come all the way out. So I called Ace...and they are closed for President's Day. I send them a mail via their web site and they call me in five minutes. Apparently the bolts after unscrewing all the way have to have some downward pressure to remove. (They don't just fall out.) They were nice enough to give me their cell number to get the Jeep dealership to call him for instructions. These guys at @ACE Engineering know how to run a business. Best customer service ever!

 

[FatBoy01]

So I couldn't get access to tools, so I dropped it off at the Jeep dealership to install for me. ($40). They called and said they would have to take the body off because the bolts would not come all the way out. So I called Ace...and they are closed for President's Day. I send them a mail via their web site and they call me in five minutes. Apparently the bolts after unscrewing all the way have to have some downward pressure to remove. (They don't just fall out.) They were nice enough to give me their cell number to get the Jeep dealership to call him for instructions. These guys at @ACE Engineering know how to run a business. Best customer service ever!

@wired ... You mean to tell me your dealership tech(s) did not know you need to pull down on the body bolts when removing or they just go around and round. I mentioned in an earlier post here to you that you need to push up very firmly when installing the body bolts or they will go round and round... same goes for when they are removed but daaaah you pull downward on them. Your dealership tech(s) must be a real winner.. geeeeez.....

Maybe they had the oil change guy doing your install. 8-( Be sure to tell them to torque to 80# or you will have issue down the road when they work loose.

 

[msujedi]

snipe:

I mentioned somewhere on the forum that I have found that "Rust-Oleum Black Bedliner Spray (About $8.00 per can) works really well on Ace Sliders.

Does this provide a little more traction for using the rail as a step in wet conditions? Or, would a grip tape work better?

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